“I Became a Machine”: Combat Medic Recounts Horrific Drone Bombing in Lebanon That Left Soldiers Fighting for Life
IDF combat medic Hagai Kreizer recounts the aftermath of a Hezbollah explosive drone strike in southern Lebanon, describing how he treated critically wounded soldiers under fire, reflected on battlefield trauma, and the emotional hospital reunion that followed.
A dramatic firsthand testimony from IDF combat medic reservist Hagai Kreizer reveals the chaotic moments after a Hezbollah explosive drone strike in southern Lebanon, describing how he treated wounded soldiers under fire and later returned to visit survivors in hospital.
Speaking in a candid interview, Kreizer recounted the moment a loitering explosive drone struck a group of soldiers, turning what he described as a routine operational moment into a mass-casualty scene. “There is no more Hagai. I became a machine,” he said, describing how instinct and protocol took over as he worked to stabilize the wounded.
According to his account, he and other responders rushed the injured into a nearby vehicle and began emergency trauma treatment, focusing on stopping bleeding, securing airways, and preparing the soldiers for urgent evacuation. “They are the center of the world, and I am a machine,” he said, emphasizing the shift into purely clinical, life-saving action.
Kreizer said the rapid response was critical, noting that in such battlefield conditions, minutes can determine survival. The injured soldiers were evacuated after receiving initial stabilization in the field.
Beyond the immediate combat story, Kreizer linked his service to personal tragedy, saying his decision to become a medic was shaped by the deaths of his brothers in earlier years. “Everything I do is in their memory,” he said.
After the incident, Kreizer visited the wounded soldiers in hospital, describing the encounter as deeply emotional and resembling “a kind of rebirth,” especially after seeing one critically injured soldier regain consciousness and speak with his family.
He also reflected on the growing threat posed by explosive drones, describing them as a cheap but highly effective weapon that presents a major challenge on modern battlefields.
Despite repeated and extended reserve service, Kreizer said he intends to continue serving if called upon. “If you avoid confrontation out of fear, you eventually bring the enemy to your doorstep,” he said.